The Flaw at the Heart of China’s Reform Process: Implications for U.S.-China Relations

JULY 14 – Dr. Jamie Metzl, Co-Chair of PSA’s Board of Directors, spoke on “The Flaw at the Heart of China’s Reform Process: Implications for U.S.-China Relations.” Dr. Metzl is Senior Adviser to a New York-based global investment firm and a Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council. He previously served as Executive Vice President of the Asia Society, Deputy Staff Director of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Director of Multilateral Affairs on the National Security Council, and as a Human Rights Officer for the United Nations in Cambodia. Dr. Metzl discussed how domestic drivers are influencing China’s foreign policy and diplomatic relations with the United States.

Members only

This event was for members of PSA’s Congressional Partnership Program.

JULY 14 – Dr. Jamie Metzl, Co-Chair of PSA’s Board of Directors, spoke on “The Flaw at the Heart of China’s Reform Process: Implications for U.S.-China Relations.” Dr. Metzl is Senior Adviser to a New York-based global investment firm and a Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council. He previously served as Executive Vice President of the Asia Society, Deputy Staff Director of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Director of Multilateral Affairs on the National Security Council, and as a Human Rights Officer for the United Nations in Cambodia. Dr. Metzl discussed how domestic drivers are influencing China’s foreign policy and diplomatic relations with the United States.

Dr. Jamie Metzl has been a frequent commentator on CNN, MSNBC, and CBS News where he has discussed China’s internal politics, economic reform process, and slowing growth rate. In his commentary, Dr. Metzl has explored China’s sometimes conflicting imperatives to drive economic growth, in part to maintain government legitimacy, and to reform the economy to make it more sustainable and avoid the middle income trap. In an interview with CNN, Dr. Metzl discussed why the lack of U.S. engagement in China’s new Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) was a missed opportunity and will have broader economic and political implications for the U.S.-China relationship.

Dr. Metzl has predicted North Korea’s collapse within ten years and discussed a potential opportunity for U.S.-China cooperation in addressing North Korea’s nuclear program. Despite shared regional interests, Dr. Metzl argues that with China’s posturing in the South China Sea – taking an expansive, unilateral claim outlined in its 9-dash line – and recent cyberattacks – not the least of which included a breach of 4 million former and current federal employees’ personal information – the U.S. must take a stronger line on China and implement a more cohesive, administration-wide China policy.

During this event, Dr. Metzl highlighted key issues driving the “China challenge” and offered recommendations for strengthening U.S. foreign policy on China.